Top Strategies for Successful CFD Trading

A trading strategy is a systematic approach that outlines your actions during the trading process. It is a well-defined plan that helps you avoid confusion in unexpected situations and guides you towards your trading goals. Without a properly structured trading plan and disorganized actions, you are likely to suffer losses.

This guide provides an overview of the primary types of CFD trading strategies, highlights the essential components of a successful strategy, and provides guidance on how to open your first trading positions in the live market. This article is intended for novice traders seeking fundamental knowledge and practical application.

What is CFD Trading? 

CFD trading stands for “Contracts for Difference” trading. It is a type of financial derivative that allows traders to speculate on the rising or falling prices of underlying assets, such as stocks, currencies, commodities, or indices. With CFD trading, traders do not own the underlying assets, but instead, trade on the price movements of those assets. 

The profit or loss in CFD trading is determined by the difference between the price at which the CFD contract is bought and the price at which it is sold. CFD trading allows for leverage, which means that traders can open larger positions with smaller amounts of capital. However, this also means that losses can exceed the initial investment.

What Can be Traded Using CFDs?

CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price movements of various financial instruments without owning the underlying asset. Some of the financial instruments that can be traded using CFDs include:

• Stocks
• Indices
• Commodities (such as gold, oil, and natural gas)
• Currencies (Forex)
• Cryptocurrencies
• Bonds
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

With CFD trading, traders can potentially profit from both upward and downward price movements in the underlying asset. However, it’s important to note that CFD trading is a leveraged product, which means that gains and losses can be magnified.

Best CFD Trading Strategies

Here are some popular CFD trading strategies:

• Trend following strategy: This strategy involves identifying the direction of the trend and opening a trade in the same direction. This is based on the assumption that the trend will continue in the future. Technical analysis indicators such as moving averages, Bollinger Bands, and MACD can be used to identify trends.

• Breakout strategy: This strategy involves identifying key levels of support and resistance and opening a trade when the price breaks out of these levels. This is based on the assumption that the price will continue to move in the direction of the breakout.

• Scalping strategy: This strategy involves opening and closing multiple trades within a short period of time, usually seconds or minutes. The aim is to make small profits on each trade, which can add up to significant gains over time.

• Hedging strategy: This strategy involves opening a trade in the opposite direction to an existing trade to reduce risk. For example, if you have a long position on a stock, you can open a short position on the same stock to hedge your risk.

• News trading strategy: This strategy involves trading based on market news and events. Traders can use economic calendars to identify upcoming news releases that are likely to affect the market.

It is important to note that no strategy can guarantee profits, and traders should always be prepared to adapt their strategies to changing market conditions.

Advantages of CFD Trading

 

There are several advantages of trading CFDs, including:

• Leverage: CFDs allow traders to trade with leverage, meaning they can open larger positions than their account balance would normally allow. This can potentially increase profits, but it’s important to remember that it can also increase losses.

• Access to a range of markets: CFDs allow traders to access a wide range of markets, including stocks, indices, commodities, and currencies, all from a single trading platform.

• Ability to short-sell: CFDs allow traders to profit from falling prices by short-selling, or selling an asset they do not own. This can be a useful tool in volatile markets.

• Hedging: CFDs can be used as a hedging tool to offset potential losses in other investments. For example, if a trader has a long position in a stock, they can use a CFD to open a short position on the same stock, thereby reducing their overall risk.

• Low transaction costs: Compared to traditional trading methods, CFD trading typically involves lower transaction costs, such as commissions and fees.

• No expiry dates: CFDs do not have expiry dates, which means traders can hold their positions for as long as they want, as long as they have sufficient margin to cover any potential losses.

How to Get Started With a CFD Trading Strategy

Getting started with a CFD trading strategy involves several steps:

1. Learn the basics: Before you start trading CFDs, it is important to understand the basics of trading, including technical and fundamental analysis, risk management, and trading psychology. You can find plenty of educational resources online, such as articles, videos, and webinars, that cover the basics of CFD trading.

2. Choose a trading platform: Once you have a basic understanding of CFD trading, you need to choose a trading platform that suits your needs. Look for a platform that offers a wide range of CFD instruments, competitive pricing, and user-friendly features.

3. Develop a trading plan: A trading plan is essential for success in CFD trading. Your plan should include your goals, risk tolerance, entry and exit rules, and position sizing. You should also consider how you will handle unexpected events, such as market volatility or news releases.

4. Test your strategy: Before you start trading with real money, it is a good idea to test your strategy on a demo account. This will help you refine your trading plan and gain confidence in your strategy without risking any real money.

5. Start trading with real money: Once you have tested your strategy and feel comfortable with it, you can start trading with real money. Start small and gradually increase your position size as you gain more experience and confidence.

6. Monitor your performance: It is important to monitor your performance regularly to assess the effectiveness of your strategy. Keep a trading journal and analyze your trades to identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Author Bio: Andrea Ollero, a writer and market analyst, has 5 years of expertise in writing beginner-friendly trading techniques, tutorials, and advice.  Also, she suggests FP Markets as the top broker for trading CFDs and forex.